One Movement: Proceed with Love or with Hate?

By Callie Strelow

On April 20, students at Principia High School in St. Louis, MO, walked out of classes in solidarity with the National School Walkout for Gun Safety. There were at least 2,000 walkouts nationwide, intended to mark the 19^th anniversary of the mass shooting at Columbine High School. Callie Strelow, Principia junior, was asked by her fellow students to deliver remarks about the purpose of the Walkout. Callie stood up and spoke out:

“We stand here as kids. We stand here as activists. We stand here as Principians. But most importantly, we stand here as one. Whether or not you support our current president, the second amendment, the Democratic Party or not – we are still one. Until real changes are made that restrict gun accessibility, my life, just as much as yours, is in danger.

Standing here, instead of sitting in class, doesn’t make you anything. Standing here does not represent your political beliefs or your morality – it represents your willingness to speak up for those who have been silenced.

On March 14th, across our nation, we saw students of all political alignment, students of all color, students just like us – walk out of thousands of classrooms all in an effort of creating change. That movement has brought us here today, that movement has empowered us and sparked a flame that will not be put out until we no longer fear being gunned down in a place of learning.

At Principia of all places we have learned how to overcome change, how to communicate across political lines, and how to unite in the face of challenge. The monologues must become one cohesive dialogue. The destructive tweets, the antagonism, the fear – it all has no place here today or ever. But it all starts with us. With you and me. It is our decision to make: Do we proceed with love, or with hate?

What we must not forget here is our privilege. We have an administration behind us, we have the resources that allow us to skip school without consequences. We have a safe enough campus to be standing up here now.

And most importantly – we have our voices. Unlike the victims of Columbine, then Newtown, and most recently Parkland, and dozens of other massacres.

We are here not to divide but to unite.”

—–

Callie is interviewed by KSDK-TV in St. Louis in a news story about the School Walkout: